V.R. McCoy's Blog
May 29, 2013
Den of Thieves
Good Morning All.
I didn’t get a chance to blog yesterday. The day just got away from me; extremely busy. The book’s Goodreads Page was inoperable. The book wasn’t being displayed in the Goodreads Data Base nor was it allowing a link to my novel at distribution sites. It only takes the interested or potential buyers to the book site and not the actual book page. Oh, well all can’t be glitter and gold right?
This brings me to another point. It is related to the book and it isn’t. I have a good friend who is going to have open heart surgery performed in June. She is a real soldier in reference to her courage. She continuously keeps her head up and is very optimistic. She has my respect and I applaud her because you would never know by her demeanor that she was ill and about to have this very complicated or should I say intricate procedure performed.
She explained to me the name of the procedure and what her condition is called and I never even heard of it. Yeah, right, not even me?
This brings me to this point; with all my ups and downs there is always someone else out there who is struggling with a problem that makes yours seem so minute. God has a way of talking to me through others. Just when you’re feeling down he sends you a sign. You just have to be aware and knowledgeable of it.
Her strength gave me strength. It reminded me of a poem that I had long forgotten by Rudyard Kipling called “IF”. I dedicate this to her and all of us out there enduring the struggle. You know who you are. In the words of Tupac Shakur, “Keep your head up” and for those of us who remember EWF “Keep your head to the sky!”
IF:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you.
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired of waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise.
If you can dream -and not make dreams your master;
If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools;
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue
Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch,
If niehter foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And-which is more- you'll be a Man my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
I wish you well. -VR McCoy
Den of Thieves
I didn’t get a chance to blog yesterday. The day just got away from me; extremely busy. The book’s Goodreads Page was inoperable. The book wasn’t being displayed in the Goodreads Data Base nor was it allowing a link to my novel at distribution sites. It only takes the interested or potential buyers to the book site and not the actual book page. Oh, well all can’t be glitter and gold right?
This brings me to another point. It is related to the book and it isn’t. I have a good friend who is going to have open heart surgery performed in June. She is a real soldier in reference to her courage. She continuously keeps her head up and is very optimistic. She has my respect and I applaud her because you would never know by her demeanor that she was ill and about to have this very complicated or should I say intricate procedure performed.
She explained to me the name of the procedure and what her condition is called and I never even heard of it. Yeah, right, not even me?
This brings me to this point; with all my ups and downs there is always someone else out there who is struggling with a problem that makes yours seem so minute. God has a way of talking to me through others. Just when you’re feeling down he sends you a sign. You just have to be aware and knowledgeable of it.
Her strength gave me strength. It reminded me of a poem that I had long forgotten by Rudyard Kipling called “IF”. I dedicate this to her and all of us out there enduring the struggle. You know who you are. In the words of Tupac Shakur, “Keep your head up” and for those of us who remember EWF “Keep your head to the sky!”
IF:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you.
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired of waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise.
If you can dream -and not make dreams your master;
If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools;
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue
Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch,
If niehter foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And-which is more- you'll be a Man my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
I wish you well. -VR McCoy
Den of Thieves
May 27, 2013
Den of Thieves
Marketing, Marketing, Marketing… That was the theme again for today. I met a lot of new and interesting friends on social media today and txt with friends on goodreads and facebook. Chat with old friends and new.
Shout out to my Sands; Hugh B. Love ya Boy. Shout out to G Money, Glenn and Rod.
Hello to Lorraine; it's been a minute - I miss you. Thanks for everything T.
Special hello to Debora;
“Tu eri un soffio rinfrescante di aria oggi, fuori dal mondano. Grazie per la canzone e l'ispirazione. Con Amore."
You know what I mean. I look forward to our next conversation.
Den of Thieves
Shout out to my Sands; Hugh B. Love ya Boy. Shout out to G Money, Glenn and Rod.
Hello to Lorraine; it's been a minute - I miss you. Thanks for everything T.
Special hello to Debora;
“Tu eri un soffio rinfrescante di aria oggi, fuori dal mondano. Grazie per la canzone e l'ispirazione. Con Amore."
You know what I mean. I look forward to our next conversation.
Den of Thieves
May 26, 2013
Den of Thieves
This morning I searched Goodreads to make a connection with people of similar interest and attempt to seek out new authors like myself for some tips and suggestions in reference to the publishing/ marketing arena.
I found several new authors like myself. I left my contact with the hopes they will respond. It's always a blessing to have friends with similar experiences to assit each other. Hopefully I will hear back from them.
I really enjoy the banter on Goodreads. Now it's time to get back to marketing. I have a couple of leads to check into.
I've made a connection with several people referenced above. THank you all for the input and advise.
I need to begin editing the next novel again. Talk 2 You Soon (T2YS)
Den of Thieves
I found several new authors like myself. I left my contact with the hopes they will respond. It's always a blessing to have friends with similar experiences to assit each other. Hopefully I will hear back from them.
I really enjoy the banter on Goodreads. Now it's time to get back to marketing. I have a couple of leads to check into.
I've made a connection with several people referenced above. THank you all for the input and advise.
I need to begin editing the next novel again. Talk 2 You Soon (T2YS)
Den of Thieves
May 25, 2013
VR McCoy (Author's Blog): Den of Thieves
VR McCoy (Author's Blog): Den of Thieves: httpwww..facebook.com/vrmccoy http://www.goodreads.com/vrmccoy I've been writing since High School. My high school English Teacher w...
Den of Thieves
httpwww..facebook.com/vrmccoy
http://www.goodreads.com/vrmccoy
I've been writing since High School. My high school English Teacher was an ex-Ivory League Professor, who no longer cared for the politics of a continuous seat as a college professor. The requirements of tenure; writing articles, books, etc... I think it was because he had a drinking problem, as well, or use to have a drinking problem. I knew the sings even at that age. He was a bit unkempt; uncombed hair, wrinkled clothing, as if he slept in them, and a bit of BO (Body Odor). If you saw him outside on the street you would think he was a tatterdemalion.
With all that said; he was still an extremely intelligent man, who taught us on a college level. I attended a College Prepatory Catholic School; Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C.. We took certain college courses that earned us credit in certain school like Catholic University and Georgetown. I was in Advance Placement Classes. I was also asked to write for the Catholic University newspaper, but neglected to do so at the time. I considered myself too cool for such an engagement during my growing stages.
I had enough problems taking classes with the nerds. It wasn't cool to be a nerd back then. Although I wasn't a nerd; me and another classmate of mine I tried to steer far away from their nucleus and the purview of nerdom as much as possible. We became life long friends and fraternity brothers to this day.
We were taught all the classics from Aristotle to Homer, Shakespeare to Emily Dickerson and Edgar Allen Poe; Dickerson and Poe were my favorites.
I received an "A" in advance placement English; partially because of his style of teaching and I understood him; who he was and what he represented. He was my earliest introduction to a literary artist and rebel. He had written several original novels and articles; explicating classical works. I was amazed t say the least.
He was a rebel who constantly bucked the system with his attire and his teaching. He definitely wasn't the 'run of the mill' teacher. He taught us the meaning of freedom to express ourselves and free thinking; he was a bit of a radical.
Even when I told him that I wanted to be a writer in high school; he explained to me how rough it was going to be and that there was no money in it. I knew then and now that he was correct, but I've had this passion to write.
I wrote poetry, unpublished short stories and songs. I wrote poems about rebellion, injustices and love. The love poetry assisted me tremendously in my earlier relationships and even as a man.
Naturally I wrote poetic rap and joined a rap group during college. We had a Demo with several songs we recorded in a studio, but it was never picked up by a label, partially due to the fact that I was in college and working at the same time.
Now I've come full circle. Writing has always been with me throughout my life. The writing comes naturally, but the abnormal, aberrant, idiosyncratic or whatever you want to call it is the selling of a novel.
I never enjoyed selling anything first of all. I've always had bad experiences with salespeople. They are analogous with some people's fear of clowns to me. So you can see my reluctance from the start; right?
Ok; so I have my novel published and marketed on all major bookstores, but now how do I get people to take a look at it and hopefully purchase it?
I began with friends. I always thought I was a very likable, personal and social person. I'm a member of several organizations, so it will be a breeze right? WRONG!!!!
It was like pulling teeth just to get people to 'Like" my bookshelf on Facebook! I never knew something so small could be so difficult!
I had several people reach out to me, but didn't commit to purchasing the book or leaving a review. I also reached out to certain established authors, but even they didn't respond!
SOS - ANY TIPS FOR A STRUGGLING ARTIST?
Nope, Nothing, No Response! Social Media is tough!
Anyway that is where I'm at today; a struggling author attempting to build an audience or any type of buzz.
If you have any tips please feel free to return with a comment. Thanks a bunch.
"Den of Thieves"
http://www.lulu.com/content/ebook/den-of-thieves/13833205 http://barnesandnoble.com/s/2940016787152 http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/den-of-thieves/id648033201?mt=11
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWGGUS6
http://www.goodreads.com/vrmccoy
I've been writing since High School. My high school English Teacher was an ex-Ivory League Professor, who no longer cared for the politics of a continuous seat as a college professor. The requirements of tenure; writing articles, books, etc... I think it was because he had a drinking problem, as well, or use to have a drinking problem. I knew the sings even at that age. He was a bit unkempt; uncombed hair, wrinkled clothing, as if he slept in them, and a bit of BO (Body Odor). If you saw him outside on the street you would think he was a tatterdemalion.
With all that said; he was still an extremely intelligent man, who taught us on a college level. I attended a College Prepatory Catholic School; Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C.. We took certain college courses that earned us credit in certain school like Catholic University and Georgetown. I was in Advance Placement Classes. I was also asked to write for the Catholic University newspaper, but neglected to do so at the time. I considered myself too cool for such an engagement during my growing stages.
I had enough problems taking classes with the nerds. It wasn't cool to be a nerd back then. Although I wasn't a nerd; me and another classmate of mine I tried to steer far away from their nucleus and the purview of nerdom as much as possible. We became life long friends and fraternity brothers to this day.
We were taught all the classics from Aristotle to Homer, Shakespeare to Emily Dickerson and Edgar Allen Poe; Dickerson and Poe were my favorites.
I received an "A" in advance placement English; partially because of his style of teaching and I understood him; who he was and what he represented. He was my earliest introduction to a literary artist and rebel. He had written several original novels and articles; explicating classical works. I was amazed t say the least.
He was a rebel who constantly bucked the system with his attire and his teaching. He definitely wasn't the 'run of the mill' teacher. He taught us the meaning of freedom to express ourselves and free thinking; he was a bit of a radical.
Even when I told him that I wanted to be a writer in high school; he explained to me how rough it was going to be and that there was no money in it. I knew then and now that he was correct, but I've had this passion to write.
I wrote poetry, unpublished short stories and songs. I wrote poems about rebellion, injustices and love. The love poetry assisted me tremendously in my earlier relationships and even as a man.
Naturally I wrote poetic rap and joined a rap group during college. We had a Demo with several songs we recorded in a studio, but it was never picked up by a label, partially due to the fact that I was in college and working at the same time.
Now I've come full circle. Writing has always been with me throughout my life. The writing comes naturally, but the abnormal, aberrant, idiosyncratic or whatever you want to call it is the selling of a novel.
I never enjoyed selling anything first of all. I've always had bad experiences with salespeople. They are analogous with some people's fear of clowns to me. So you can see my reluctance from the start; right?
Ok; so I have my novel published and marketed on all major bookstores, but now how do I get people to take a look at it and hopefully purchase it?
I began with friends. I always thought I was a very likable, personal and social person. I'm a member of several organizations, so it will be a breeze right? WRONG!!!!
It was like pulling teeth just to get people to 'Like" my bookshelf on Facebook! I never knew something so small could be so difficult!
I had several people reach out to me, but didn't commit to purchasing the book or leaving a review. I also reached out to certain established authors, but even they didn't respond!
SOS - ANY TIPS FOR A STRUGGLING ARTIST?
Nope, Nothing, No Response! Social Media is tough!
Anyway that is where I'm at today; a struggling author attempting to build an audience or any type of buzz.
If you have any tips please feel free to return with a comment. Thanks a bunch.
"Den of Thieves"
http://www.lulu.com/content/ebook/den-of-thieves/13833205 http://barnesandnoble.com/s/2940016787152 http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/den-of-thieves/id648033201?mt=11
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWGGUS6
